Parliamentary secretary Dr. I Longriniken, addressing the orientation programme-cum-18th general conference of the Nagaland Veterinary Field Assistant Association. (Morung photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 15
Parliamentary Secretary for Information & Technology, Dr. I Longriniken, today said “Nagaland State has enough scope for livestock entrepreneurship, which in turn could generate thousands of jobs.”
To create job avenues for the unemployed youths, benefit farmers and to boost the economy of the state through animal husbandry, the parliamentary secretary called for professionalism on the part of the veterinary doctors and para veterinarians alike.
“Whether we are veterinary doctors or para vets, we are all professionals and should work in a professional manner,” Longriniken said in his address at the inaugural session of the two-day Orientation programme’ cum 18th general conference of the Nagaland Veterinary Field Assistant Association (NVFAA), which got underway here at Town Hall.
The orientation programme is sponsored by the State Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AH&VS) department under National Livestock Mission, GoI (2016-17) training and capacity building.
He said if the veterinarians work hard, then the huge gap between demand and supply of meat in the State would be eased to a large extent. He also said animal husbandry is a field where new findings take place every day and new technologies developed. He said veterinarians likewise should equip and update themselves with latest information and technologies.
Further, Longriniken, a former veterinary surgeon, called for ethical treatment of animals and reminded that like humans, animals too go through pains and emotions and therefore need similar care as human beings.
Deputy director, AH &VS, Dr. Kuokehebi Gwirie, in his keynote address said as per sample survey report of 2015-16, the state produced 52% of the total requirement of meat worth Rs. 1116.40 crores leaving a shortfall of 48% or Rs. 817.53 crores and out of this shortfall, the state imported animal husbandry products worth Rs. 212.98 crores.
The deputy director said figures in the survey report indicates a very positive sign that there is immense potential and scope for animal husbandry developments in the State in terms of demand and supply. And despite the gap that exists today in terms of demand and supply, the import quantum of animal husbandry products is gradually reducing when compared with the base level of 2001-02, which in monetary terms stood at Rs. 375.00crores and in 2015-16 import value at Rs. 212.985 crores.
Gwirie said the answer to self-sufficiency in animal husbandry products lies in farming on a commercial scale.
Additional director AH&VS and managing director NLDB, Dr. Rongsentemjen Ao, and NVFAA president, Tokiho, also delivered speeches.
Joint director, AH&VS, Dr. Aomangyang Walling, chaired the inaugural programme.
